NSCDC arrests ‘fleeing Boko Haram member’ in Ekiti

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says its operatives in Ekiti have arrested a wanted Boko Haram member suspected to have fled from the north-east.

Afolabi Babawale, NSCDC spokesperson, in a statement on Thursday, identified the suspect as Isah Jafaru, also known as “Nabida”.

Babawale said operatives arrested the suspect in Iloro Ekiti after a manhunt due to his suspicious activities in the community.

He said preliminary investigation has revealed that the suspect is a high-ranking terrorist who relocated to Iloro Ekiti with other terrorists scattered in Ekiti state.

Oluwaseun Sosina, Ekiti NSCDC commandant, said operatives are tracking the fleeing criminals to prevent regrouping in the state.

Sosina added that the suspect will be handed over to the Department of State Security (DSS) for further investigation.

“The command’s intelligence and counterterrorism unit are moving out in search of these miscreants with a view to stopping them from regrouping in Ekiti state while the command will cooperate with other paramilitary agencies to make sure that the state remains peaceful during, before, and after this festive season,” the commandant said.

“In the spirit of synergy, the command will hand over the suspect to the Department of State Security Service for further investigation to pave the way for the arrest of others who are currently in that axis and other parts of the state.”

The commandant asked residents of Ekiti to be vigilant and cautious of suspicious individuals, especially in hard-to-reach forest areas.

Sosina added that residents should promptly report questionable characters to the nearest security agency.